You know how Marvel and DC have co-owned the “superhero” trademark for decades? That era is apparently over, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has reportedly canceled the companies’ claims to several of their trademarks. Reuters.
The cancellation was the result of a challenge from Superbabies Limited, a small company that manufactures a range of products. super baby Comics about superhero babies. The law firm representing Richeld wrote in a press release that “Superbaby” creator S.J. Challenging the two comics giants’ claims to trademarks.
According to the USPTO’s decision, Marvel and DC did not respond to the challenge by the July 24, 2024 deadline, resulting in the cancellation of the trademarks. As a result, the office canceled four patents, the oldest of which, USPTO records show, was the “SUPER HERO” trademark registered in 1967. Obtained the “SUPER-VILLAIN” trademark in 1985.
If you want to learn more about Marvel and DC’s superhero-related trademarks, I have just that. Adam Adler, one of the attorneys involved in the Super Babies trademark challenge, actually wrote a two-part series for Super Babies escapist magazine A brief explanation of how these companies jointly own these trademarks and what they have done over the years to protect that ownership. Adler also links to other articles that go into more depth.
